Proposal to Increase Kentucky Cigarette Tax by One Dollar

It's no secret Kentucky leads the nation in lung cancer and lung cancer deaths. The Coalition for a Smoke Free Tomorrow is taking their case to Frankfort to show a way to discourage young people from smoking.

The increase also will lead 29,400 adults smokers to quit and prevent 14,800 premature deaths. And it will save $1.07 billion over the long term in health care costs in the Commonwealth.

A December 2017 poll found that nearly 7 in 10 Kentucky voters (69 percent) support raising the cigarette tax, and the support rose to 73 percent when voters heard about the specific health benefits from a tax increase and the revenue it would generate. More than 150 state organizations are on board with the initiative.